2 January 2025
A new multi-million-dollar culture and arts centre is almost ready to throw open its doors to support local First Nations artists thanks to the commitment of a small team of Army engineers from 19th Chief Engineer Works based at Randwick Barracks in Sydney.
Designed within the tree lines on the shore of Lake Evella, the new centre blends into nature on the edge of the Gapuwiyak township, about 220km west of Nhulunbuy in the Northern Territory, where it will join other arts centres in Arnhem Land on an Aboriginal arts trail.
Since the construction works began in May this year, project engineer Captain Joseph Chilvers has been making regular trips to the remote East Arnhem Land community to oversee the delivery of the new Gapuwiyak Culture and Arts Centre.
“After spending five months in Gapuwiyak as a troop commander with 6th Engineer Support Regiment during the 2022 Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Program, I wasn’t expecting to return to the community, but I’ve enjoyed travelling in and out of the community as the works have progressed,” Captain Chilvers said.
“Seeing the youth centre we built back in 2022 being utilised by the community and being able to send photos back to my old troop has been good.
“Having the local knowledge and project management experience in the community has also been really helpful, particularly with addressing issues around logistics, sourcing materials in a remote location and engaging with community and local stakeholders.”
It is funded by the National Indigenous Australians Agency with a financial contribution from the Northern Territory Government and in-kind support from Army.
With the approaching wet season, the contractors, under the guidance of Captain Chilvers and works manager Warrant Officer Class One Liam Wardle, have worked seven days a week with the support of the Gapuwiyak community.
Captain Chilvers described the layout of the new building.
“As well as having a public-facing museum and a gallery, it will have a studio and workshop area where local Aboriginal artists can create their art and visitors can come and learn from the artists," he said.
“They currently use the porch of the existing arts centre but the community have really outgrown that facility.”
In addition to a café, the new fully air-conditioned arts centre will have office space and a large deck where the community can gather in front of Lake Evella, which is a popular swimming location for local children.
“It’s been a long wait for the community given we’ve been consulting and planning since 2019,” Captain Chilvers said. “But we’ve remained committed and worked hard to overcome the challenges.”
Local Aboriginal artist and expert weaver Lucy Wanapuyngu, who helped establish the original centre in 2007, is looking forward to the official opening of the new one in 2025.
“I’m proud, I tell you,” Ms Wanapuyngu said.
An artist all her life, Ms Wanapuyngu used to sit and watch her family and what they were doing with their hands when they were weaving.
When her daughter was in primary school, she started teaching her, just as she had learnt from her grandmother.
“She come back from primary school and I tell her to sit and learn weaving,” Ms Wanapuyngu said.
“My family taught me everything and we used all the colour.”
Nowadays Ms Wanapuyngu’s daughter helps her collect, dry and dye pandanus palm, and the existing centre sells Ms Wanapuyngu’s art on her behalf.
“This centre was my idea for the future,” Ms Wanapuyngu said.
“It was my idea for the people, all the young people.”
